Trust us when we say; we know what it’s like…
What it’s like to be using your ironing board as a makeshift desk. What it’s like to have your laptop precariously balanced on a stack of cushions in lieu of a proper stand. What it’s like to be confusing vital documents with your kid’s latest ‘drawing’, losing your phone and your mind under piles of papers, and struggling to get things done because of a complete lack of organisation in your home office.
Yep, we know what it’s like…
‘’Tidy desk, tidy mind’’, as they say, and this curious mantra is only amplified when working from home. It’s safe to say that finding true workplace contentment and, in turn, delivering great results, isn’t always easy from a hastily arranged home office, particularly when your organisation and storage is found wanting.
But we’re here to help clear things up, both physically and metaphorically; here are 9 sometimes simple, sometimes innovative storage ideas for your home office.
Slim Shelving Units
If you don’t have much space to work with (and we know you don’t; that’s why you’re here), then slim shelving is a great choice to organise lightweight items, such as boxes, small pieces of tech, smaller files and other items.
The Workplace Depot, who sell durable and compact slim shelving, tell us that these shelving units offer a smart and cost-effective solution to help you store a high quantity of items without wasting valuable space. This allows you to maximise your storage space and maintain an organised and effective working environment.
Under Desk Storage
Under desk storage can be helpful in gaining extra space for general storage and filing. In general, most people tend to choose an under desk pedestal, as it can fit under most office desks.
These units are often referred to as ‘mobile storage’ and often feature two or three drawer options. This allows employees to store a variety of items and office accessories.
Alternatively, if you’re the kind of desk dweller who likes to kick back and keep their feet elevated while working, you could invest in a footstool with storage space within it; talk about killing – or kicking! – two birds with one stone – or, erm, one stool.
Talk about kicking two birds with one stool. Nah, that doesn’t work. Let’s move on…
Other ‘Dead’ Space Storage Ideas
Come out from under your desk and think outside the box here. Or, rather, think outside the office. Because there is plenty of organisational acumen to be flexed away from your actual home office space.
Indeed, even in the tightest, most compact of rooms you should be able to eke out ample storage space within. There are nooks, crannies, shelves and spaces lurking in every home; you just have to know where to look.
Beds with built-in storage are particularly useful here for office-related items you don’t need immediate access to, as are Ottoman storage chests at the end of the bed; both provide an answer to those pesky storage conundrums posed by a small home office.
Tambour Cupboards
Tambour storage options are the perfect home office product to combine space-saving and style. Instead of opening large doors outwards and into a room with limited space, a side-sliding tambour door may be a better choice. These guys require little space directly in front of them, which can be a real space-saver.
Moreover, they have the added benefit of security, as it is possible to lock them fully at the end of the day. This means that you can keep all of your important files and documents neat, tidy, and secure, away from the pesky hands of young family members and pets! With a large capacity and a sturdy platform, their contemporary design will look stylish and sleek in your home office.
Desk Organiser
Hey, let’s go back to basics for a minute and satisfy that word ‘simple’ from the title. A desk organiser will help you keep important supplies within reach and organised. The top tray can usually be moved around, which will allow them to stack their items and save space.
At the bottom, there may also be a pull-out drawer where you can store post-its, glue, tape, and even a calculator (dream big my friend!). As there is plenty of space available, this storage unit can be customised to separate and organise stationery based on usage.
Desk Monitor Stand Riser
This is another great storage solution suitable for any computer, laptop, monitor, or notebook. Typically, a desk monitor stand riser consists of two departments, which can be used to keep a phone, iPad, pens and other office essentials.
Moreover, the nook on top is removable, which makes it simple to clean and arrange items faster. Alongside this, it will raise the monitor to just the right height, which will ensure there is no additional strain on the body and help prevent subsequent issues caused by bad posture.
Wall Mounted Storage
A great way to maximise your office space is to incorporate an over-the-door hanging organiser. It is an attractive and elegant storage solution, which offers many benefits. This option can save you plenty of floor space, as you can store pens, highlighters and post-its instantly.
Most hanging wall organisers also feature durable pockets, which makes it easy to manage your office organisation in the long run. Wall organisers are made with high quality metal materials and they offer strong metal construction. Moreover, you can easily label the different pockets and classify your papers clearly.
Printer Stand
Finally, whilst many home office workers may baulk at the idea of integrating a printer into a tight domestic space, others will have had to make adjustments for this most essential of items.
A useful solution to accommodate your printer and its various accessories, including printing paper, highlighters, ink, and staplers, is a printer stand with storage. It is easy to place it on top of any desk, shelf, or cabinet, acting as an extension to the storage in your office, making printing and scanning even faster.
Or, Relocate Outside
Or, instead of making room in your home by decluttering and putting your belongings into self-storage, why not make some extra room by creating a ‘shofice’?
As reported in the Guardian, “Research by Direct Line’s home insurance arm found that since lockdown began almost 1 million homeworkers have splashed out on a shed or similar outbuilding to use as an office or workspace and a further 1.1 million are planning to do so in the next 12 months’’.
Of course, you’ll need a garden for this one, but it might be a smart investment to relocate your home office to the garden shed. Remember any furniture or equipment installed into the building, such as desks and shelving units, can be claimed back on tax relief. Food for thought, indeed.